The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-26

makes sound as of an enormous lock being
turned several times. The candidate is then
subjected to a further catechism, sitting
between the two pillars on stool bristling
with nails and resting on uneven feet. While
in the act OF taking the oaths the cup of
oaths,' fatal to perjurels, is handed to him.
The cup is divided into two compartments,
which turns on pivot. The one contains
water, the other an exceedingly bitter con-
coction. At the moment when he commences
the formula of the oath he is given some of
the water to taste, and at the words IF ever
break my oath the upper part of the cup
is turned imperceptibly round so that the
bitter drink is brought to his lips.
HE is then started off ON what is called
the first journey, which is a weary peram-
bulatlon of the lodge from east to west, va
rled by series of childish farces. First the
candidate is made to walk very slowly, and
then he is dragged along hurriedly Sud
denly he is stopped and told to duck his head
because of vault and then he is warned
that there are obstacles TO be crossed, and is
made to jump. Next he is told that there
are steps to be mounted, and that he must
lift his right foot, and as there is nothing of
the kind he naturally stumbles. He is taken
along planks on rollers which give way be-
meath him. He is forced to climb other planks
like seesaws, which suddenly throw him into
space But the most absurd trial is that of
IL IL,
up which the candidates climbs YEARLY,
like squirrel in cage, without ever get
ting any further One of the brethren,
seated quietly at his side, holds his hand,
drops it, and nudges his arm, as though he
We're following him, thus completing the
illusion. When the candidate is thoroughly
exhausted small platform is fitted to the
top of the steps, which he at length is
allowed to reach. A number of brethren
surround him waving large fans, and
voice exclaims: We are now 1900 feet
above the sea. Throw yourself into space
While the unfortunate victim hesitates he
| is pushed from behind and falls distance
| OF about six feet onto mattress.
Meanwhile noises such as thunder, hail.
wind, ETC., are produced by machines with
which the lodge is provided for the pur-
poses and the din is increased by frightful
| shrleklng, bowling and crying on all sides.
| Finally the disheveled and perspiring can
didate is dragged to the West Post, where
| he receives a strong shock from a gal
vanlc' battery, while at the same time one of
the brethren strikes him violently on the
chest with his mallet. After being ques-
| toned as to his readiness to shed his blood
in defense of the order, his arm is pricked
| with lancet, few drops Of tepid water
| from narrow-necked bottle fall on to the
| patients flesh, and the remainder is poured
noisily into basin, so as to delude him into
| the belief that his blood is flowing. The arm
is then bound up in a sling. The President
then asks him on which part of the
body he prefers to be branded with the
hieroglyphical seal of the lodge The Ma
sonic seal trick is done in different ways.
| The ritual of the Grand Orient of France
says that one of the brethren is to rub with
a dry rag the part indicated of, the postu-
lant's body and then quickly apply piece
of ice. But the usual way is to put the
warm end Of just-extinguished wax candle
or of slightly heated wine glass on the
| spot. Each one of these methods gives the
candidate the impression of having been
branded with hot iron. The mask is then
removed from the postulant's face, and the
President salutes him with the triple frater-
nal kiss, first on the right cheek, then on
the left and lastly on the mouth. After this
the candidate is invested with his apron and
pair of gloves"
The remainder of the ceremonies are
similar to those customary in America and
English lodges, and need not be referred to
here. The above description is sufficient to
show the immense difference which exists
| between the grand institution of Free
masonry in the United States or Great
| Britain and that of France The childish
and contemplate tricks practiced in the
| French lodges are more worthy of figuring
in some farcical history than in the rites
and ceremonies Of the greatest benevolent
| institution in the world.